Super Bowl 2026: Why British coach Aden Durdy is a ‘game changer’ for champions Seattle Seahawks

During five years as defensive coordinator for the London Warriors, Durdy managed to land internships with the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons, before the latter made him the NFL’s first full-time British head coach in 2018.

He progressed through roles with Atlanta and Dallas before new Seattle coach Mike McDonald made Durdy his defensive coordinator in 2024.

“AD,” as he is known on the Seahawks, has since helped create a defense he describes as “fast, physical, ball-hungry, and team-oriented.”

“AD is an absolute game-changer for us,” McDonald said Monday. “It’s not just an amazing story that has brought him to this point, it’s him as a football mind, a football coach.

“He’s someone who really brought us together, and the way he plays our defense inspired football is a great tribute to how AD operates, and what he brings to our football team and our organisation. I’m really happy for AD.”

“He’s just an absolute beast and so much fun to work with. He’s out there, building this whole thing. It’s been a special ride.”

The Seahawks dominated the New England Patriots to a 29-13 win on Sunday, but Durde not only became a Super Bowl champion, he helped shape a defense that will go down in NFL folklore.

Seattle’s defense was called the “dark side” and turned in a performance that longtime NFL analyst Cris Collinsworth said was “as good as I’ve ever seen.”

“This is so cool,” Durdy said. He added, “But we have to praise the players. They were committed and wanted to be the best in the world, and we got the result we wanted.”